18 firewood, charcoal fetchers killed by Boko Haram in Borno

AHMED MARI, Maiduguri

No fewer than 18 people who were firewood and charcoal fetchers were said to have been killed or slaughtered by suspected members of Boko Haram in Koshebe general area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.

A reliable security source who does not want his name in print told newsmen in Maiduguri on Tuesday that the incident took place on Monday when the victims had gone to the village to scavenge for firewood and charcoal and sale to residents of Maiduguri, the state capital.

It would be recalled that Jere formed part of Maiduguri metropolis, where most of its surrounding communities were unsafe.

Confirming the attack, another security operative who also did not want his name mentioned as he was not authorized to talk to the press said, 10 bodies were evacuated from the scene of the attacks to Maiduguri, leaving eight other dead bodies at the scene due to inaccessibility.

A member of Civilian JTF from the area said he saw security vehicles conveying the dead bodies along Khadamari- Maiduguri road at about 2pm on Tuesday.

“There was an attack and ambush on firewood sellers who had gone to the bush to fetch their products by suspected members of Boko Haram terrorists in Koshebe general area of Jere Local Government Area of Borno state,” the source added.

He also said: “Eighteen dead bodies were seen at the scene of the attacks, but as it is, only 10/dead bodies were recovered and evacuated so far by our security forces in conjunction with members of Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

“The remaining 8 dead bodies were yet to be evacuated due to inaccessibility of the area”., he added

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